SUPREME COURT-GAY MARRIAGE
High court hears arguments on gay marriage
WASHINGTON (AP) β With fierce opponents and advocates gathered outside, the U.S. Supreme Court has heard arguments on same-sex marriage.
The court must resolve conflicting lower court rulings on whether gay marriage is a constitutional right.
Legal observers closely watched the justices’ comments for possible clues about their leanings. Justice Anthony Kennedy, who authored the court’s three prior gay rights rulings, did not tip his hand. The arguments lasted more than two hours.
Justices Stephen Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor both said marriage was a fundamental right and a state would need a truly compelling reason to deny it to a class of people. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said heterosexual couples would retain the same marriage benefits they currently have, whether or not same-sex couples also could marry. Justice Antonin Scalia said he worried that a court decision in favor of same-sex marriage would force ministers to stop officiating at weddings altogether if they refused to perform same-sex weddings.
Same-sex marriage is already legal in 36 states and the District of Columbia. The court’s decision is expected by June.
Sound:
313-w-38-(Jerry Bodlander, AP correspondent, with Justice Anthony Kennedy)–Justice Anthony Kennedy, who could be the deciding vote when the Supreme Court decides if same-sex couples have a constitutional right to get married, didn’t tip his hand during today’s oral arguments. AP correspondent Jerry Bodlander reports. (28 Apr 2015)
< 298-w-31-(Jerry Bodlander, AP correspondent, with Justice Anthony Kennedy)–The Supreme Court appears split on whether same-sex couples have a constitutional right to get married. AP correspondent Jerry Bodlander reports. (28 Apr 2015) < 260-a-13-(John Bursch, representing the state of Michigan in the same-sex marriage cases, with reporters outside Supreme Court after arguments)-“democracy for that”-John Bursch, who’s representing the state of Michigan in the same-sex marriage cases, says if the justices rule that states must allow same-sex marriage, that would cut off an important debate . (28 Apr 2015) < 273-a-13-(Chief Justice John Roberts, during oral arguments)-“of sexual discrimination?”-Chief Justice John Roberts suggestts there are problems with the states’ argument against same-sex marriage. (28 Apr 2015) < 259-a-13-(John Bursch, representing the state of Michigan in the same-sex marriage cases, with reporters outside Supreme Court after arguments)-“was founded on”-John Bursch, who’s representing the state of Michigan in the same-sex marriage case, says the court seemed receptive to his arguments. (28 Apr 2015) < 261-a-09-(John Bursch, representing the state of Michigan in the same-sex marriage cases, with reporters outside Supreme Court after arguments)-“it’s the people”-John Bursch, who’s representing the state of Michigan in the same-sex marriage cases, says the question before the Supreme Court is not whether gay marriage is right or wrong. (28 Apr 2015) < 274-a-08-(Solicitor General Donald Verrilli, during oral arguments)-“deserve it now”-U.S. Solicitor General Donald Verrilli says the court should guaranty the right to same-sex marriage nationwide. (28 Apr 2015) < 272-a-12-(John Bursch, lawyer representing states that ban gay marriage, during oral arguments)-“about the kids”-John Bursch says children could be hurt if the Supreme Court rules that states must allow same-sex marriage. (28 Apr 2015) < 258-a-17-(Chief Justice John Roberts, during oral arguments)-“by the courts”-Chief Justice John Roberts says deciding for same-sex marriage would end debate on the issue. (28 Apr 2015) < 257-a-11-(Mary Bonauto (boh-NAW’-toh), lawyer who argued for same-sex marriage, during oral arguments)-“in our society”-Plaintiff’s attorney Mary Bonauto tells the court same-sex couples want to enjoy marriage like everyone else. ((cut used in wrap)) (28 Apr 2015) < 226-a-08-(Mary Bonauto (boh-NAW’-toh), lawyer for gay plaintiffs, at news conference)-“a popularity contest”-Civil rights lawyer Mary Bonauto says it’s important to have the Supreme Court rule in favor of gay marriage rather letting the issue be decided by lawmakers. (28 Apr 2015) < 227-a-11-(Greg Bourke, plaintiff in same-sex marriage case heard before Supreme Court, at news conference)-“many love stories”-Greg Bourke, a plaintiff in the same-sex marriage case being heard before Supreme Court, says he’s confident the jutsices will allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. (28 Apr 2015) < 225-a-09-(Mary Bonauto (boh-NAW’-toh), lawyer for gay plaintiffs, at news conference)-“a legal one”-Civil rights lawyer Mary Bonauto says she’s grateful for the opportunity to argue on behalf of same-sex couples in the Supreme Court. (28 Apr 2015) < 221-r-04-(Demonstrators, outside the Supreme Court)–Sound of an anti-gay marriage demonstration outside the Supreme Court as justices heard historic same-sex marriage arguments inside. (28 Apr 2015) < 224-r-10-(Demonstrators, outside the Supreme Court)–Sound of demonstrators outside the Supreme Court as justices heard historic same-sex marriage arguments inside. (28 Apr 2015) < 223-r-08-(Demonstrators, outside the Supreme Court)–Sound of an anti-gay marriage demonstration outside the Supreme Court as justices heard historic same-sex marriage arguments inside. (28 Apr 2015) < 207-a-05-(Chief Justice John Roberts, during oral arguments on same-sex marriage)-“the institution is”-Chief Justice John Roberts says advocates of same-sex marriage are want something different. (28 Apr 2015) < 208-a-09-(Justice Anthony Kennedy, during oral arguments on same-sex marriage)-“we know better”-Justice Anthony Kennedy says he has doubts about changing the definition that marriage is between a man and a woman. (28 Apr 2015) < GAY WEDDING-FLORIST Flower shop owner to appeal to Washington State Supreme Court RICHLAND, Wash. (AP) β A flower shop owner in Richland, Washington, who lost a lawsuit over her refusal to provide services for a same-sex wedding wants the state Supreme Court to review the case. Attorneys for Barronelle Stutzman filed the notice of appeal on Monday. The Tri-City Herald reports the state Supreme Court can decide to take up the case or transfer it to the state Court of Appeals to handle first. Stutzman owns Arlene’s Flowers, and says her religious beliefs prevent her from providing flowers for a same-sex wedding. A judge ruled earlier this year that Stutzman broke the law when she told a longtime customer that she couldn’t provide services for his same-sex wedding because of her religious beliefs. The case drew nationwide attention. SUSPECT DIES-BALTIMORE-MINISTERS Clergy work to promote peace in Baltimore BALTIMORE (AP) β Civic leaders in Baltimore are praising the work of ministers and other clerics who have taken to the streets to not only protest, but to urge clam in the wake of this week’s violence. Following days of peaceful protests against the death of a man from injuries sustained while in police custody, violence broke out late Monday following the funeral for Freddie Gray. Scores of cars were torched, including police vehicles. Buildings were set ablaze and businesses in several areas were looted. Hundreds were arrested. A group of ministers marched arm-in-arm on Monday night. Ironically, one minister who has urged calm was the victim of arson. But the Rev. Monte Hickman of Southern Baptist Church vowed that a center under construction that was destroyed will be rebuilt. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake says some churches opened their doors to students on Tuesday because schools were closed. Police Commissioner Anthony Batts says ministers have joined activists in making sure those who don’t want peace aren’t given a role in protests. Sound: 412-a-07-(Marc Terrill, president, Associated Jewish Communities of Baltimore, with reporters)-“and resolute way”-Associated Jewish Communities of Baltimore presdient Marc Terrill says changes must be made, but not through unrest. (28 Apr 2015) < 413-a-11-(Commissioner Anthony Batts, Baltimore Police Department, with reporters)-“go to school”-Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Batts says ministers and others are workking to discourage the impact of those whon don’t want protests to be peaceful. (28 Apr 2015) < 411-a-09-(Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, D-Baltimore, with reporters)-“something to eat”-Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake says religious leaders are helping the commnity work through the period of unrest. (28 Apr 2015) < 282-r-24-(Sound of singing, during march by members of clergy in Baltimore)–Sound of ministers singing “I’m going to stay on the battlefield, ’til I die” during march by members of clergy in Baltimore. (27 Apr 2015) < VATICAN-CLIMATE UN, Vatican team up for climate change agenda VATICAN CITY (AP) β The United Nations and Vatican have joined forces to warn about the dire effects of climate change. A gathering of religious leaders, Nobel laureates and heads of state are creating a united front ahead of make-or-break environment talks later this year in Paris. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon praised Pope Francis for framing the need to combat global warming as an urgent moral imperative. Ban says the pope’s upcoming encyclical — a letter to bishops — will provide an “unprecedented opportunity” to create a more sustainable future for the planet. Ban opened a Vatican conference on the environment that is a key part of the Holy See’s rollout of Francis’ eagerly awaited communique, which is expected in June. While popes past have all taken strong stands in favor of environmental protection, Francis will be the first to address climate change in a pontiff’s most authoritative teaching document. Sound: 253-a-12-(U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, at climate change conference)-“urgent moral imperative”-U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says the U.N. and the Vatican are together voicing support for those fighting the effects of climate change. (28 Apr 2015) < 255-a-05-(U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, at climate change conference)-“voice, moral leadership”-U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he thinks speeches by Pope Francis to a joint session of Congress and a U.N. summit this fall will be important to the climate debate. (28 Apr 2015) < 254-a-11-(U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, at climate change conference)-“of human behavior”-U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says research proves climate change is an issue that must be addressed globally. (28 Apr 2015) < POPE FRANCIS-CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY Pope Francis to celebrate outdoor Mass at Catholic U. in DC WASHINGTON (AP) β Pope Francis will celebrate an outdoor Mass at the Catholic University of America when he visits Washington in September. The Archdiocese of Washington says the pope will celebrate Mass on Sept. 23 outside of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The archdiocese says details are still pending. The congregation is expected to assemble around the basilica on the university mall. The White House has announced that President Barack Obama will meet with Pope Francis on Sept. 23 as well. And House Speaker John Boehner has said the pope will address a joint session of Congress on Sept. 24. Pope Francis will also travel to Philadelphia and New York City. Previously, Pope Benedict XVI visited Catholic University in 2008 and also celebrated Mass at Nationals Park. SAN FRANCISCO ARCHBISHIOP Hundreds protest San Francisco Archbishop’s morality clauses SAN FRANCISCO (AP) β Hundreds of Catholic school teachers and their supporters have protested at the San Francisco Archdiocese to protest the archbishop’s proposed morality clauses against homosexuality, birth control and premarital sex. The San Francisco Chronicle reported demonstration may have been the first gathering with so many employees. There have been protests since Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone proposed that staff at four archdiocese high schools adopt handbook and contract language that affirm marriage as between “one man and one woman.” The clauses also call sperm donation, the use of a surrogates and other forms of “artificial reproductive technology” as a “grave evil.” Cordileone has said he is seeking more palatable language, but that he will not change the content of the clauses. CATHOLIC SCHOOL PETITION Iowa students ask for nondiscrimination policy review WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) β Students at a West Des Moines, Iowa, high school are asking the school board to extend its nondiscrimination policy to those who rent the school district’s facilities after a local Catholic high school decided not to hire a gay substitute teacher full time. According to a report, Valley High School students presented a petition to revise policy to require renters to sign an agreement saying they would abide by the district’s policy regarding protection for sexual orientation and gender identity. The petition, which seeks to close the loophole in the district’s nondiscrimination policy, was signed by nearly 230 students and community members. The Des Moines Register reports that the petition comes on the heels of criticism officials at Dowling Catholic High School have received for opting not to hire a substitute teacher full time after learning he was gay. TULSA PASTOR SENTENCED Former Tulsa pastor sentenced in lewd molestation case TULSA, Okla. (AP) β A former Tulsa, Oklahoma, pastor has been sentenced to 23 years in prison in a lewd molestation case. The Tulsa World reports Damien Keith Bonner Sr. was sentenced Monday to 23 years in prison. A jury found him guilty earlier this month of two of nine molestation charges filed against him. Bonner received a sentence of 20 years for allegedly having sex with a parishioner of Galilee Baptist Church in 2013, when the victim was 14 to 15 years old. A judge also gave Bonner a three-year sentence for inappropriately grabbing another minor whom he met as a youth pastor at Mount Zion Baptist Church in 2006. Bonner’s attorney told the judge his client intended to file an appeal. BROOKLYN SHOOTING Dispute outside church leaves 2 fatally shot, 4 injured NEW YORK (AP) β New York police say a long-running feud between two men is too blame for a gunfight that broke outside a church after a Monday night funeral in Brooklyn that left two people dead and four injured. The gunfire happened outside Emmanuel Church of God in Brooklyn’s East Flatbush neighborhood. Witnesses told investigators that the violence erupted when two enemies encountered each other at the funeral and got into a dispute stemming from bad blood going back several years. One of the men returned with companions and opened fire. The second man who was killed and the others injured were all bystanders.
